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20 Photos That Will Make You Book Your Flights to New Zealand

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Friday, February 22, 2019

New Zealand; the home to absolutely mind-blowing mother freaking nature.

It's no secret that I have fallen head over heels for this country and have been lucky enough to explore a good chunk of it. Each trip I make, I am delighted by the stunning beauty that I am treated to.

If you don't have a trip to New Zealand on your bucket list, you're about to.

I want to share some of my favourite photos that I have taken in the last 12 months and if they don't convince you to book a flight to New Zealand then you've lost your goddamn mind.

1. Lake Matheson; South Island This picture is upside down. Or is it? You can find this beautiful lake close to Fox Glacier on the wild West Coast. Try to visit in the morning to maximise chances of a perfectly still lake.

2. Kite Kite Falls; North Island Close to Piha, you will find the beautiful hike through the bush to Kite Kite Falls. A quick climb up the stone steps will lead you to the top of the waterfall and to a secluded infinity pool over looking the Waitakere Ranges.

3. The Emerald Pools; Tongariro Crossing, North IslandThese breathtaking pools can be found along the 19.6km beast of a hike; The Tongariro Alpine Crossing. They are absolutely not for swimming though!

4. The Hobbit Holes of Hobbiton; North IslandBuilt for the Lord of the Rings & Hobbit movies, you can visit Hobbiton and have all your nerd dreams come true.

5. Champagne Pools; Wai-o-Tapu; Rotorua, North Island Rotorua is home to some of the most impressive geothermal activity in New Zealand. The smells and colours in Wai-o-Tapu are an assault on the senses.

6. The TransAlpine Train; Christchurch to Greymouth; South IslandOne of the Great Journeys of New Zealand is the famous TranzAlpine train running from East to West of the South Island. The viewing carriage offers uninterrupted views of the glorious South Island.

7. Mount Ngaurhoe / "Mount Doom"; Tongariro Crossing, North IslandThis impressive volcano is the filming location of Mount Doom from the Lord of the Ring films. Tackle the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and you can feast your eyes on this view yourself.

8. Mitre Peak; Milford Sound, South IslandThe 8th Wonder of the World and for good reason. This magical fiord is home to mighty mountains, waterfalls and an abundance of marine life.

9. Roys Peak; Wanaka, South IslandHiking for the ultimate view. Roys Peak is a hard hike, with the most rewarding views at the summit. Worth it? FUCK YEAH!

10. Mt Cook; Hooker Valley Track, South Island

At 3,724m, Mt Cook (Aoraki) is New Zealand's highest mountain.

A wonder to behold in winter full of snow and ice. This view is at the end of the Hooker Valley track.

11. Hamilton Gardens; North IslandLiterally the only good thing to find in Hamilton. These gardens really are very impressive and make you want to take up gardening asap.

12. Orcas in the Haurkai Gulf, North IslandSailing from Auckland, you can find Orca, whales and dolphins within the Hauraki Gulf. Sailing alongside these wild creatures is something I will never forget.

13. Franz Josef Glacier; South IslandOne of the fastest moving glaciers in the world; moving up to 5m a day. Whether you hike to the valley, or take a scenic flight or helicopter glacier hike, you will not be sorry that you visit Franz Josef.

14. Abel Tasman National Park; South Island

Paradise. Miles and miles of pure paradise.

15. #thatwanakatree; Wanaka, South IslandThe most famous tree in the world most likely, and with a backdrop like that you can see why.

16. Icebergs of Hooker Lake, Mt Cook National Park; South IslandFeeling brave? Dare to swim through the ice-cold waters of Hooker Lake to perch on the icebergs in the shadow of Mt Cook.

17. Fiordland National Park; South IslandHome to Milford Sound, the Fiordland National Park is a gateway to the most stunning scenery. Snow-capped mountains, and lush green rainforests await you.

18. Lake Pukaki; South IslandI dare you to find a bluer lake .... I'll wait. With Mount Cook in the background - a famous photo-stop is along the shores of this blinding lake.

19. Ben Lomand; Queenstown, South Island

A sensational hike to the summit of Ben Lomand offers panoramic views of the Remarkable Mountains, Cecil Peak, Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu

20. The Cook Strait

If you get the opportunity to travel by ferry between the North and South Islands, you will get to journey across the Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds.